Kacey Rose Foundation to hold motorcycle ride

NAUGATUCK — It’s just a ladybug, but for families fighting pediatric cancer and blood disorders requiring stem cell transplants, it means so much more.

When leukemia took the life of the Mitchell family’s 2-year-old daughter, Kacey Rose, five years ago, family members dedicated themselves to helping others who may face the disease.

The Kacey Rose Foundation, which has now provided over $150,000 in financial aid for more than 150 families, continues to mark each gift with Kacey’s favorite insect, the ladybug.

On Saturday, the foundation will host its third annual benefit motorcycle ride with all proceeds going to local families.

Registration for the event will begin at 9:30 a.m. at Moe’s Auto Sales & Services, 850 Rubber Ave. Ext. The two-hour long ride through Litchfield County will begin at 10:30 a.m. and finish at Prospect’s VFW Post 8075 for a luncheon.

The cost per rider, which includes the luncheon, is $25, and additional passengers will cost $10 each. Children under 13 will be free.

In the event of rain, the luncheon will take place at 12:30 p.m. The ride, however, will be rescheduled to a later date.

For additional information or to preregister call Moe Shira at (203) 729-7206 or visit kaceyrose.org.

Shira, Kasey’s uncle and benefit organizer, said the event provides a way for people to reflect and give back while enjoying a leisurely ride.

“When Kacey passed it hurt a lot, but in some ways I didn’t fully grasp how much it hurt until I had kids too,” said Shira. “This ride is a great way to help families out, even if it just pays for their parking or gets them a cup of coffee.”